The Haunted Ashmore Estates
History: Ashmore Estates was built in 1916 and was once part of Coles County Poor Farm. It operated as an almshouse until 1959 where the residents or “inmates” grew their own food, butchered and smoked their own meat, made their own butter and all worked hard to take care of each other. As many as 200 people died while the building operated as a poorhouse and were buried on site. Paranormal Activity : There is a vast amount of folklore about Ashmore Estates, evidenced by the large number of people who illegally entered the property looking for ghosts and spirits during the 20 years in which the property was abandoned. Some believe that cults used to meet at this location for satanic rituals. There are reports of black masses, full body apparitions, disembodied voices, hot and cold spots, you name it. The old building is considered by many to be “massively haunted” and there are rumors that an investigation of the building will be aired on Ghost Adventures later this year.